new diagnosis

txbrobear
txbrobear Member Posts: 2
I went to the emergency room back in December thinking I maybe had the flu or pneumonia and in a matter of hours heard the word cancer. Apparently the lymph nodes in my chest were enlarged as well as my spleen. The doc ordered a round of antibiotics which did nothing and then a pulmonary function test. Recently went in for PET scan and had the diagnosis confirmed. Now I am still sitting and wondering what comes next. Did I do something to make this happen? How serious is it? Is it normal to be as scared as I am?

Comments

  • KariCR
    KariCR Member Posts: 3
    txbrobear,
    I was diagnosed in July 2004 and have recently finised my chemo and didn't have to have radiation. Your feelings and concerns are SOOO normal. My doctor told me that if I was going to have a type of cancer that Hodgkin's was the most treatable. I am not saying that it is such a breeze, but medicine has come a long way and it working wonders- just look at how many Hodgkin's surviors there are!! As far as Iknow and have researched they really don't know what causes Hodgkins for sure. Don't give up!! Things will get better and soon Hodgkins will be just a memory for you. If you need to talk I am always here. I just discovered this site and wished I would have had it during my treatment. I can be reached at annabelle1529@yahoo.com Good Luck and God Bless,
    KariDC
  • quec
    quec Member Posts: 2
    Hi txbrobear,

    I was diagnosed in February, 2004 and I finished my treatments in September. I had to go for chemo and radiation treatments. I had all the same questions and fears as you do, but there is no reason to explain why or if we did something to make this happen. From what my doctor told me, they do not know what causes Hodgkin's. It is very normal to be scared. I was extremely scared going for my first chemo treatment. I had no idea what to expect and the nurses and doctors were great in making me feel comfortable and the same thing happened when I started the radiation treatments. But it gets easier, getting cancer sucks there is no doubt about it but like KariDC said if you are going to get any kind of cancer Hodgkin's is the one to get (it is the most treatable). If you have any other questions about the treatments or just need to vent you can reach me at quec@excite.com. Good luck and remember in a few months it will be just a memory.
  • sunnydays
    sunnydays Member Posts: 3
    i was diagnosed in july and had 6 months of chemo and still have 6 treatments of radiation left to go. i am not going to say that my treatments have been easy by any means, but it was nothing like i expected. all i heard were these awful horror stories, and compared to these, my treatments were a breeze. i never got sick, and didn't fully lose my hair=), though i did get a few bald spots=). if i can offer you any advice it is this- smile every chance you get, laugh at the little things, and trust that you will get through this and you will be a stronger person at the end of your journey. i would love to hear of your progress and help you in any way that i can. please write me at: beesy22@yahoo.com. you will be in my prayers.
  • mac01
    mac01 Member Posts: 2
    KariCR said:

    txbrobear,
    I was diagnosed in July 2004 and have recently finised my chemo and didn't have to have radiation. Your feelings and concerns are SOOO normal. My doctor told me that if I was going to have a type of cancer that Hodgkin's was the most treatable. I am not saying that it is such a breeze, but medicine has come a long way and it working wonders- just look at how many Hodgkin's surviors there are!! As far as Iknow and have researched they really don't know what causes Hodgkins for sure. Don't give up!! Things will get better and soon Hodgkins will be just a memory for you. If you need to talk I am always here. I just discovered this site and wished I would have had it during my treatment. I can be reached at annabelle1529@yahoo.com Good Luck and God Bless,
    KariDC

    Hi Kari:
    Just diagnosed malignany lymphoma.Any pointers on how to get through this stuff?Never sick a day in my life and look at that stuff:)!
    efqk22@hotmail.com

    Terry MacIntosh
  • mac01
    mac01 Member Posts: 2
    KariCR said:

    txbrobear,
    I was diagnosed in July 2004 and have recently finised my chemo and didn't have to have radiation. Your feelings and concerns are SOOO normal. My doctor told me that if I was going to have a type of cancer that Hodgkin's was the most treatable. I am not saying that it is such a breeze, but medicine has come a long way and it working wonders- just look at how many Hodgkin's surviors there are!! As far as Iknow and have researched they really don't know what causes Hodgkins for sure. Don't give up!! Things will get better and soon Hodgkins will be just a memory for you. If you need to talk I am always here. I just discovered this site and wished I would have had it during my treatment. I can be reached at annabelle1529@yahoo.com Good Luck and God Bless,
    KariDC

    Hi Kari:
    Just diagnosed malignant lymphoma.Never sick a day in my life and look at this stuff:)!Any pointers on how to get through it?

    efqk22@hotmail.com

    Terry MacIntosh